Elevating and lowering mechanism



Sept 5, 1933. w. A. BRACKEN ELEVATING AND LOWERING nmcgmusm Original Filed March 15-, 1932.

2 Sheets-Sheet l m v e Wil/mm ziliracen ELEVATING AND LOWERING MEGEANEEH Original Filed March 15, 195% shetssheet 2 grime/Wm mzm ALE mmkem WWI/1g Patented Sept. 5,1933

' UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE 1,925,911 unsva'rmo AND LOWERING monomers Original application March 15, 1932, Serial No. 599,011. Divided and this application Septemher 36, 19.32;. Serial No. 635,695

6 Claims.

This invention relates to an elevating and lowering mechanism designed primarily for use in connection with the glass in windows and doors of automobiles, but it is to be understood that a mechanism, in accordance with this invention may be employed in any connection for which it is found applicable, and the invention has for its object to provide, in a manner as hereinafter set 4 forth, a mechanism of the class referred to, ca-

pable of being controlled by an occupant of and actuated from the suction stroke of the engine of the vehicle for elevating and lowering the glass when it is desired.

A further object of the invention is to provide, in a manner as hereinafter set forth, a mechanism for the purpose referred to so constructed and arranged as to enable its operation from the glass elevating and lowering device now generally e l-- ployed, whereby a mechanism is set up which not only can be operated from the suction stroke of the engine of the vehicle but also can be operated from the manually operated glass elevating and lowering device now generally employed.

Further objects of the invention are to provide, in a manner as hereinafter set forth, a mechanism of the class referred to which-is comparatively simple in its construction and arrangement for the purpose intended therefor, strong, durable,

. conveniently controlled and comparatively inexpensive to manufacture.

To the above ends essentially and others which may hereinafter be set forth, the invention con sists of such parts, and such combination of parts which fall within the scope of the invention as claimed.

in the drawings:-

Figure l is a side elevation of the elevating and lowering mechanism showing the adaptation thereof with respect to a window glass of a front door of an automobile and with the glass in an thoroughly efficient in its use, readily installed,

trating the several positions of the controlling valve.

The subject matter of this application is a division of my co-pending application, Serial Number 599,011, filed March 15, 1932.

Referring to the drawings, that is Figures 1 v and 2, 1 denotes the front door of an automobile provided with the usual window opening adapted to be opened and shut by a vertically movable glass 3 slidably mounted in a known manner in the door 1, and as shown the latter includes a rectangular frame 4 of angle shape cross section including an inner flange 5, and an outer flange 6 disposed at right angles to each other. Secured against the flange 5 and abutting flange 6 is a rectangular supporting plate 7 positloned'intermediate the ends of frame 4. Arranged at the bottom of the latter, seated upon the bottom and abutting the sides of flange c is a rectangular plate 8, the latter being secured against the sides of flange 5. Secured to plate 8 and extending above the top edge thereof is a pair of spaced standards 9, 10, each having a cushioning element ll arranged at the top thereof which provides cushioning abutments for arresting the lowering movement of the glass. A door latch and operating means therefor, as indicated at 12 is attached to plate 7.

With reference to Figure 4, the lower end of glassfl has attached thereto a track" forming element.i3 having a bifurcated upper part 14 to receive the lower portion of glass 3 and a lengthwise chamberecl lower track forming part 15 provided in one side thereof with a lengthwise extending opening it communicating with the chamber 17 formed in part l5. in of chamber 17 provides a tract: for a trolley 19 which includes a shaft so extending through and projected from opening ill. The shaft so has a reduced cylindrical smooth part 21 and an outer peripherally threaded reduced port 22 extended from part 21. forming part 15 and trolley it? will he presently referred to. The element 13 and glass 3 opposes the forward side of plate 7.

The mechanism includes a suction operated actuating element 3'? of the same form and ar rangernent as that disclosed in the application reierred to. The element 37 has as a part thereof a pistonrod it. The element 37 also includes a cylinder 38 closed at one end and having a re- "fhe bottom wall The purpose of the track 7 movable head so at its other end. The head so nipple for alternate communication with a suction forming means and the atmosphere. The nipples communicate with the interior of cylinder 38 and are indicated at 55, 56.

The piston rod 43 has its projecting end pivotally connected as at 43' to the lower end of an adjuster 32, and the function of the latter will be hereinafter set forth. The adjuster 32 comprises a triangular shaped plate 33 pivoted intermediate its ends, as at 34 to the lower arm of an elevating and lowering lever to be referred to.- The wide end of plate 33 is formed with a row of openings 34 and extending through a selected opening 34' and an opening in said lower arm is a removable holdfast means 34". The adjuster 32, owing to the openings 34' can be adjustably positioned at an inclination with respect to said lower arm or set to form a lengthwise continuation of the latter. The adjuster 32 is connected to standard 9 by a coiled spring 35.

Secured to the forward face of plate 8 and extended-thereabove is a bracket 35, to which is pivotally connected, as at 35" the bottom of an upstanding clamping device 36 which encompasses and is secured to the suction operated element 37 for the elevating and loweringlever to be referred to. i

With reference to Figures 1 and 2, each of said mechanisms includes a glass elevating and lowering lever indicated generally at 38 and formed with an upper and a lower arm 89 and 90 respectively. The arm 89 in proximity to its upper end is connected to the reduced part 21 of shaft 20 by a nut 30. The adjuster 32 is pivotally and adjustably connected to the lower arm 90 and extends therefrom. The lever 88 includes a quadrant shaped rack 91 which associates with a rotatable pinion 82 having its shat t provided with a crank handle 93. Attached to plate 7 is a depending braclret 9 which carries the shaft of.

pinion 92 and a pivot 95 for lever 88. A controlling spring for the latter is indicated at 96 and which is attached to pivot 95 and to bracket 94. The adjuster 32 is for controlling the stroke of piston rod 43.

With reference to Figure 1, there is shown extending from element 37 a pair oi flexible tubes 97, 98 which open into controlling valves 99, 100 respectively which are suspended from the bottom of plate 7. The valves 99, 106 open into the ends of a tubular member 101 which communicates with a suction line 102 leading to the intake manifold, not shown, of the engine of the vehicle. The stems oi the valves 99, 100 are provided with crank arms 103, 104 respectively, pivotally attached to the ends of a shifting rod 105 thereof. Pivotally attached at its lower end to rod 105 is aninclined actuating bar 166 functioning to move rod 105 in opposite directions to provide for the operation of valves 99, 100 in a manner whereby when one is communicating with line 182, the other will open into the atmosphere. The bar 106 is connected to a manually operated slide 107 which is slidably supported from plate 7, as at 108. On the shifting of slide 107 in either direction, the bar 106 will be carried therewith. A latching member 109 coacts with the rack 91 for the same purpose as the bar 83 in my application referred to, which =is'to lock the glass 3 only in its upper position, such position being when the top edgeot the glass 3 is arranged at a short'distance from the top of the window opening for the purpose of ventilation. The member 109 is pivotally connected to plate 7. as at 110 and is attachedto bar 106 by a spring 111. A stop 112 arrests the movement of member 109.

With reference to Figures 2, 6, 7, 8 and 9, a valve device 621s illustrated and which is employed in connectionwith the modified form shown in Figure 2. The valve-62 provides for the control of the element 37 and acts as a means for establishing communication between element 37 and the atmosphere and between element 37 and a suction source. The valve device 62 consists of a housing 66 providing a tapered chamber 67 for a rotatable controlling valve 68 which is in the form of a tapered plug. The housing 66 is formed with openings 69, 70, 71 and 72 arranged equidistant with respect to each other. Integral with housing 66 are peripherally threaded nipples 73, 74 and 75 which register with openings 69, 70 and 71. The opening 72 communicates with the atmosphere. Attached to the nipples 73, 74 and 75 are the pipe branch '59, suction line 64 and pipe branch 60. The valve 68 isformed with a pair of curved ports 76, 77, the former functioning to establish communication between the nipples 74 and 73 and between nipples 74 and 75. The port 77 functions to establish communication between nipple 73 and opening 72 and between nipple 75 and opening 72. The valve 68 has its largest end formed with a stem 79 to which is fixed a handle member 86 provided with a pointer 81. The valve 68 at its smallest end is formed with a tubular extension 81 towhich is attached an adjustable spring controlled device 81" for adjustably connecting the valve 68 to the housing 66.

Pivotally attached to the plate 7 in proximity to the bottom thereof and extending through a stop member 82 which is also secured to plate 7, is a latching bar 83 which coacts with the ratchet teeth 91 to detachably secure the glass 3 in its upper position, such position being when the top edge of the glass 3 is arranged at a short distance from the top of the window opening for the purpose oi ventilation. The bar 83 is connected to the stem of the controlling valve by a bow-shaped controlling spring 84. The pivot between bar 83 and plate 7 is indicated at 85. The bar 83 has an angularly disposed lower end 86 which engages in the rack 91, that is to say it selectively engages with the teeth of the rack. When the stem of valve 68 is shifted for the lowering of the glass, the spring 8% releases the bar 83.

With reference to Figure 2, flexible tubes 57, 58 are to be connected to the nipples 55, 56 respectively. Tubular branches 59, 60 extend from the tubes 57, 58 respectively to the valve 62. The branches 59, 60 are attached to and communicate with the nipples 69, 71 respectively: Suction line 64 leads from the engine of the vehicle to and communicates with nipple 74.

With reference to Figure 8, it shows a form of a shaft and crank handle for the pinion92, whereby the latter can be operated to raise and lower the glass independent of the suction operated mechanism. The shaft is formed of two sections 125, 126 of polygonal inner and outer contour respectively, the former being hollow, normally spaced i'rom and capable of encompassing section 126 for the purpose of rotating it to provide for the rotation of pinion 92. The crank handle 93 is on the outer end of section 125 and is formed with an outwardly opening pocket 127 and extending through the bottom of the latter and engaging in section 126 is a headed guide 128 upon which section 125 is moved inwardly to encompass section 126. Controlling springs 129. 130 surround section 125 and guide 6 branches 59, 60 against plate 'I. Keeper 65 is employed to connect the suction lines to plate 7. The latching member 109 has an angle shaped end 109 which is adapted to selectively engag the teeth of the rack 91. I

'The valve device 62 is for alternately establishing communication between the pipe branches 59 and 60 with thesuction line and also is employed for establishing communication between the branches 59, 60 with the atmosphere.

Latching member 109 shown in Figure 1 and latching member 83 shown in Figure 2 are released from rack 91 when employing pinion 92 to raise or lower the glass. In using pinion 92 to raise the glass, it is necessary first to turn valve 62 for the upward stroke. and in lowering the glass, the valve should be turned for the downward stroke.

The glass 3 is not latched by member 83 or 109 at any time when it is lowered. For instance, if the valve was turned for the downward stroke and the glass was down and the motor stopped, if it be desired to have the glass up, the latter could be moved to such position by turning the handle 93. After the glass has been elevated and it is desired that it be lowered, it could have a lowering movement imparted thereto by turning handle 93, as long as the valve stated that the latching device would be practical even though the valve had to be changed when shifting the glass from handle 93.

When the valve 62 is in a closed position the air is shut off from the cylinder and this holds the glass in any position but still does not lock it so securely but that it can be operated by hand. Of course, if one wanted to operate easier by hand, it would be necessary to turnthe. valve in the position desired forup or down. This lets the air in one end of the cylinder and out at the other end, thus making it easier to operate by hand. But to hold the glass in any position when the motor is running, the valve 62 should be in a closed position.

What I claim is:- l

1. In a windowglass elevating and lowering mechanism, the combination of an elevating and lowering lever-for the glass, a rack and pinion actuating means for said lover, a suction controlled actuating means for said lever including a reclprocatory member attached to the latter, a shaft formed of a pair of normally disconnected sections for said pinion, a pressure operated, spring controlled rotatable device for connecting said sections to provide for the rotation of said pinion to pivot said rack, said rack being integral with the lever to move therewith, and a manually operable valve for controlling the movement of said member in opposite directions by simultaneously establishing communication between Q said element and the atmosphere and a suction source.

2. In a window glass elevating and lowering mechanism, the combination of an elevating and lowering lever for the glass, a rack and pinion actuating means for said lever, a suction con-- trolled actuating means for said lever including a. reciprocatory member attached to the latter.

a shaft formed of a pair of normally disconnected.

sections for said pinion, a pressure operated, spring controlled rotatable device for connecting said sections to provide for the rotation of said pinion to pivot said rack, said rack being integral with the lever to move therewith, a manually operable valve for controlling the movement of said member in opposite directions by simultaneously establishing communication between said element and the atmosphere and a suction source, and a latching member coacting with said rack for latching the lever in selected position.

3. In a window glass elevating and lowering mechanism, the combination oi an elevating and.

lowering lever for the glass, a rack and pinion actuating means for said lever, a suction controlled actuating means for said lever including said sections to provide for the rotation of said pinion to pivot said rack, said rack being integral with the lever to move therewith, a manually operable valve for controlling the movement of said member in opposite directions by simultaneously establishing communication between said element and the atmosphere and a suction source, a tension spring for the lever, and a latching member connected to said valve coacting with said rack for latching the lever in selected position.

4. In an elevating and lowering mechanism for a vertically movable window glass, a suction operated actuated element including a reciprocating member; a rotatable pivotally mounted elevating and lowering device for the glass con nected with the latter and with said member and including a rack, a normally inactive pinion engageable with the rack for rotating said device on its pivot, and a pair. of independent means, one selectable independent of the other for operating said device, one of said means including a manually operated valve controlling the operation of said element to operate said device independent of said other means, and said other means including a normally inactive spring controlled lengthwise shiftable normally rotatable element engageable with said pinion for rotatingthe latter to shift said device independently of said memher.

5. In an elevating and lowering mechanism ,for a vertically movable window glass, a suction operated actuated element including a recipro-- eating member, a rotatable pivotally mounted elevating and lowering device for the glass connected with the latter and with said member and including a rack, a normally inactive pinion engageable with the rack for shifting said device on its pivot, a pair of independent means, oneselectable independent of the other for operating said device, one of said means including a manuanly operated valve controlling the operation of said element to operate said device independent of said other means, said other means including a normally inactive spring controlled lengthwise shiftable manually rotatable element engageable with said pinion for rotating the latter to shift the lever to the glass, 2. pair of selected means ble of being connected to said rotatable means for operating it, said rotatable means and rotatable device heving coacting parts for detach ably connecting them together when said device is slid from normal position.

WELIAM A. BRACKEN. 

